Jason Varitek knows his Red Sox days may be over, but hopes they are not

Associated PressRed Sox catcher Jason Varitek can't see into the future, but he hopes he can extend his career in Boston - or if not there, somewhere else.

Ever the pro, Jason Varitek delayed his post-game interview a few minutes to ice down his shoulder, even with no games left to play.

Ever the realist, the Red Sox captain knew that Sunday's 8-4 win over New York might have ended a run unlike that by any other catcher in this team's history, and by very few players of any stripe.

At the moment, the odds of Varitek returning to Boston look less than 50-50. But the landscape is better than a year ago, when it looked as if the Red Sox were stuck with Varitek for one more year because of his contract option, not because he had much left in the tank.

Varitek hit .232 this year, but he looked much more spry than in 2009. Good enough to help this team in the backup role he accepts.

Time waits for no man, though, not even the only catcher to handle four no-hitters and one who helped win two World Series titles.

"I don't know what the future holds. Absolutely, I want to come back here. But I want to play,'' said Varitek, who turns 39 in April.

Varitek went 1-for-4 Sunday. His second-inning single was his first hit since June 30, just before a broken foot shelved him for 58 games.

In the eighth, he nearly pulled a Ted Williams last at-bat. A drive he thought was ticketed for the bullpen died on the warning track in right-center.

He took his position in the ninth and was then replaced by Kevin Cash, a tribute that seemed to surprise him.

It did not surprise the fans. How you say thanks for 13 years, 1,478 games, broken bones and sore hands and the end of a Curse?

"Being here, my time with my teammates and the organization and the fans, it's been a special run,'' Varitek said.

"So many players came through and never won a championship. To break through was special.''

He said he was not one to address his legacy. But there is no question he has one.

"My oldest (of three daughters) is 10, and I've been here 13 years. This is a part of them,'' he said.

It's a part of him, too, but hard as it is to imagine Varitek wearing another uniform, he is prepared to do so if the alternative is retirement.

Unlike last offseason, there will probably be modest interest. So what happens now?

The Red Sox want to sign Victor Martinez. They are ready to negotiate. Over to you, Victor.

"I think I did pretty well. I would prefer (to stay) here, but we'll see what happens,'' he said with the smile of a man who knows big money awaits him, somewhere.

Epstein also spoke highly of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, 25, acquired at the trade deadline.

"There is a lot to like. We have a very high opinion of him. We think he has a future here,'' the general manager said.

And then there is Varitek. He is no longer a No. 1 catcher, but at the moment, Saltalamacchia does not look like a 130-game man for a contender, either.

If the Red Sox sign Martinez, and they need a backup for mentoring and an occasional start, is anyone more qualified than Varitek?

It's easy to look at his birth certificate and say it's time to say a painful farewell. But if the fans hope the Red Sox can squeeze one more year out of their icon in residence, they could not be blamed and are probably not wrong.

Over to you, Theo.

"We'll just have to see what happens,'' he said.

"It might have looked like a good-bye today, but it doesn't have to be.''